The Utah Mammoth have signed Max Psenicka to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced this morning.
The 19-year-old defenseman was selected 46th overall by Utah in the second round of the 2025 NHL draft. In Portland, he scored 30 points in 53 WHL games with the Winterhawks and added three points in 13 total games with Czechia internationally with their U20 team, winning silver at this past World Juniors Tournament.
He also played two games with Tucson in the AHL on an amateur try-out contract at the end of the 2025-26 season, registering an assist on April 15 of this year in his professional debut.
Psenicka brings a well-calculated, defense-first approach that shined through his first full season with the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks last year. His plus-three ranked second on the Winterhawks’ blue-line, while his 67 penalty minutes led the D-corps. Psenicka also recorded eight goals and 30 assists through 53 games on the year.
It was a hardy, and reassuring, performance after he seemed a bit shaky in his move from Czechia’s pro league to the WHL partway through the 2024-25 season.
Psenicka showed that his commanding defense, active stick, and physical presence can stand up to North American hockey – traits that the Mammoth are undoubtedly excited to see in their young right-defenseman. Psenicka has also built up a strong international resume as the fundamental backbone of Czechia’s U17 and U18 rosters. He debuted at a major IIHF tournament with his appearance at the 2026 World Junior Championships.
There, Psenicka’s strongman defense – marked by three assists and a plus-six in seven games – helped propel Czechia to a Silver Medal. It was just the second time that the country has made the championship matchup since 2002.
Utah will look to hone Psenicka into a pro defender over the 2026-27 season. His lacking foot speed and offense jump may restrict him to a full year in the minor-leagues – though a 6-foot-5, 200-pound frame could also make him a prime recall candidate if the Mammoth end up in injury trouble. An entry-level contract will make both options possible as Utah looks to mold one of their top defense prospects.